Pastor Rufus Wesley Obituary

Obituary

Pastor Rufus Floyd Wesley, Sr., blessed his parents, Clarence Wesley, Sr. and Martha Thompson Wesley with his birth on December 12, 1941, in Okfuskee County, Oklahoma. He was the second child born in the family. He was raised surrounded by his brothers, Clarence Jr., Floyd and his sisters, Marie and Roberta. As a child, Pastor Wesley was very close to his mother, he didn't mind helping her or taking care of her. He also enjoyed playing basketball, fishing and swimming. He was instrumental in the care and nurture of his nephew, Ricky and his niece, Sue.

Pastor Wesley received his formal education by attending Clearview High School located in Wewoka, Oklahoma. He enlisted in the United States Army. He served with honor and distinction and was honorably discharged. In 1957, he united in holy matrimony to Betty Joe Marie. To this union, Franklin, Rufus, Valerie, Christine, Darril and Rodney were born. On July 24, 1999, Pastor Wesley wed the former Lottie Mae Craft in Campbell Memorial COGIC in Denver, Colorado. They first met, when was sitting in his church reading the Body of Christ Newspaper. Lottie fondly remembers him calling her "Baby", them sharing many happy and memorable moments and he being a great husband, father and praying partner. With this union of marriage, he became the father of Tyrone and later two more beautiful girls, Tajshea and Nicole were added to the family. The Wesley Family now complete, they continued to grow in Christian love and harmony.

Later he was blessed with 15 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, who were and additional source of joy and pride in his life. The family shared many happy and precious moments together. They remember him as loving, caring and a man who gave them all nicknames, who loved spending quality time with them, whether joking around or just enjoying each other's company. He taught them to have strong Christian values, to be people of integrity and to enjoy life to the fullest.

Pastor Wesley retired from the City and County of Denver after many years working as a Supervisor of Public Works. He was a hardworking man, who would never ask any employee placed in his charge to perform a task that he himself wouldn't first do. Pastor Wesley's work ethics were a crowning symbol of a man whose Christian values exemplified his behavior both on and off the job.

A man of faith and belief in the Lord, Pastor Wesley accepted the Lord as his personal savior at a very early age. He accepted his call to the ministry and continued to serve the Lord for the rest of his life. For the past twenty one years, he has been the under shepherd of 430 Years Church of Church of God in Christ, located in the historic Five Points area of Denver. As a Pastor, he accepted his charge to "Preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ" everyone, he came in contact with. His knowledge of God's word was immeasurable and his ability to pray and communicate with the Lord profound. When the song writer penned the words in song, "If I Can Help Somebody as I Travel Along, then my living shall not be in vain"; Pastor Wesley was one whose life so exemplified that philosophical teaching. He truly enjoyed his walk the Lord and the fellowship with his parishioners and Christian brothers and sisters.

In his free time, he was a true Bronco fan, he loved reading, studying the Bible, and traveling. His closest friends, Pastor James Fennell, Ben Davis, Pastor Richard Gates, Pastor John Norwood just to name a few, will certainly miss the Christian camaraderie they all shared together and the fact that he was a true and genuine friend. He was the type of man who never met a stranger because he was a true people person and who "feared God and kept his commandment." In Psalms 107:8, we find these words recorded, "Oh that men, would praise the Lord for his goodness and for hiswonderful works to the children of men."

He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this man of God, who led his life by example. To know Pastor Wesley was to love him.

On December 28, 2013, Pastor Rufus Floyd Wesley went from labor to reward in his home in Denver, Colorado, surrounded by his wife and other family members. He joined that caravan of other family and friends who have preceded him in death. Those left to cherish his memory and mourn his loss include his loving and devoted wife, Missionary Lottie M. Craft-Wesley of Denver; 5 sons, Franklin D. (Katherine) Wesley of Englewood, CO, Rufus F. Wesley, Jr., Darril L. Wesley both of Aurora, Rodney A. (Lawanda) Wesley of Salt Lake City, UT and Elder Tyrone D. (Rowena) Craft of Aurora; 4 daughters, Missionary Valerie R. Wesley of Aurora, Christine L. (Terrell) Warren, Tajshea M. Wesley and Nicole M. Wesley all of Denver; 1 brother, Superintendent Clarence W. (Missionary Ora) Wesley of Broken Bow, OK; 1 sister, Roberta Knight of Commerce City; 15 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; his 430 Years COGIC Family; his mother in law, District Missionary Louvenia Craft of Denver; 2 brothers in law, Mack (Peggy) Craft of Denver and Paul (Rojuana) Craft of Denver, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and many friends. Read Pastor Rufus Wesley's Obituary and Guestbook on www.pipkinbraswell.com.